It is kind of hard for me to post and say that I

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am going in for surgery on Tuesday for Craniotomy #6. Sometimes I feel like it must be scary for new people to know that might be in their future, and so I hope this post doesn't end up causing someone to stop researching information regarding their particular situation and drive you away from the MPIP. There are plenty of people who have had 1 brain surgery and done very well, In my case my brain is very radiation sensitive, and so it is either surgery or necrosis, luckily last time it was necrosis(from previous SRS)and I am hoping the same results come through this time. It has been 2 years since I have had any evidence of disease, and it has been four since I was initially diagnosed with a brain tumor. So, if you are a newbie-this isn't a common situation and this may not end up being your situation at all. Things may well never comeback if you are stage II or III. That has been the case with many people. If they do, address one issue at a time, and go from there. First I thought melanoma was a death sentence, then I thought stage IV was a death sentence, then brain metastases were a death sentence, and so far none of that has proven to be true. Don't read into the statistics whatever you do. New therapies are coming out faster than ever, and more and more trials are adding up to improved statistics overall. I am going into surgery with a very optomistic attitude, saying my prayers and there really isn't much else I can do. Sometimes life gets out of your hands, there are some things one can control and some that one cannot. Either way, keep on planning for the future and enjoy yourself. When I first got diagnosed, I used to search this site and see tons of people dying and it scared me so much that I avoided scans as much as possible (sometimes to my own detriment) so whatever you do, remember, scans are your friends. Even if there is a bad result, the sooner you get working on it, the better your outcome will be.

I'm so sorry you have to go through another surgery. Your posts are inspiring! I hope if I have to face melanoma again I can do it in the same way that you have. I'll be thinking about you on Tuesday. I know it will all go well for you.

As you are going thru so much, thank you for writing such a sensitive post for others. I really needed to read your post today. I have been feeling so scared ever since my brain mets were found in June (3 small ones: 4mm, 4mm and 8mm). I had gamma knife in July and at first felt really good. But there are days that I just feel these brain mets are just a death sentence.

I'm so sorry to hear this. I have never met you, don't know you but you have always made me feel like everything will be okay. I hate the thought of you going through this and will send a ton or prayers for you that this is necrosis. I'm so very upset that you are going through this again.

Good luck with your surgery. My prayers will go with you into surgery on Tuesday. I wish you a speedy return to good health. I'm amazed how cautious you were in telling your story (at a time which must be very stressful to you), so as not to scare newbies. Your story will be one of the successes...and in a couple of weeks you can write about how good this surgery went. Good thoughts.

John, your ability to think of others when you are facing your own surgery is very inspiring and humbling. That is one of the things I appreciate most about this board - everyone here is dealing with their own challenges and yet regularly come together to help others.

You are in my thoughts and prayers and may your surgery be a complete success.

I have to admit this "newbie" was a little bit shaken when I read your post Friday night. I wish you well fellow traveler. You were one of the first to come to the aid of my defense in my posts and in the searching of my husband's treatment plan in this frightening disease. Your words are comforting to me considering what you, yourself, must be feeling right now. You are a brave soul and I admire you for what you bring to others. If I can someday bring to this kind of energy into my environment especially to my husband then I will forever be humbled.

So sorry to hear this news, John, and sorry you're having to deal with this crap again. You're in my prayers, guy. I'll be looking for an update. *Hugz*

~Lisa~

Life is NOT a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in an attractive & well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, champagne in one hand, strawberries in the other, body totally used up & worn out, & screaming WOOHOOO, WHAT A RIDE!!

I want to thank you for the reality Check. Since my first and second posts and the replys left I now have taken the time to learn about this beast and have gotten some good advise from people like yourself. I hope all goes well tomorrow. I am heading to MD Anderson on Thursday and Have an APPT with Doctor Weber. The Tumor in my neck has grown now to the size of a lemon but from what I have read this is small compared to others. I hope I can help others in the journey into this as all of you have helped me get my head into the right place and take control.

Thanks and Godspeed

Mac Under the Knife

Nothing is as important as this moment, Your life can be changed in a single Moment and you can live a lifetime in a moment if you believe